Newspaper cutting about passages to Canada

In the 1920s, Canada was very keen to attract people working in agriculture to settle in their country. There was plenty of land available particularly in the centre of the country. In 1922 the Empire Resettlement Act gave assistance with travel and resettlement to farmers, domestic workers and child migrants. More than 400,000 Britons left under this scheme. 160,000 went to Canada which was far fewer than they had hoped for.

The Museum has archive holdings for Tiverton in Ontario and Tiverton in Nova Scotia. Both are small settlements.

Tiverton, Ontario, is on the shores of Lake Huron. In 2021 the population was 717. There are at least two explanations as to the origin of the name. One relates to Lord Palmeston, who was prime minister and our local MP at the time the village was founded but there was also, apparently a local pioneer called Tivvy after whom the village may have been named.

Tiverton, Nova Scotia, is even smaller with about 300 inhabitants. It is a small fishing village on the northern most tip of Long Island in the Bay of Fundy. The area is popular for whale watching, hiking and birdwatching.

Sewing machine dating from the 1870s, made by Charles Raymond of Guelph, Ontario and imported by P Frank in Liverpool

This mangle was found on a rubbish tip at Creacombe! It was made by Beatty Brothers of Canada, founded in 1874 they produced agricultural and household appliances for almost 100 years before merging with other companies in the 1960s. It is on display in our Kitchen Laundry Gallery.

Close up of wording on a mangle

Pin commemorating 100 years since the founding of Tiverton, Ontario

Written by Museum Volunteer, Sue B.